Chloe Kim led through qualifying at the World Cup event in Switzerland ©Getty Images

United States' teenage prodigy Chloe Kim cruised through halfpipe qualifying in first place at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard World Cup in Laax, Switzerland, today.

The 16-year-old, who claimed two Winter Youth OIympic and two Winter X-Games gold medals in 2016, scored a whopping 93.75 points to progress into Thursday's (January 19) final.

She will now seek to replicate her season-opening win in Copper Mountain last month.

China's Liu Jiayu progressed in a distant second place out of the 12 qualifiers, with a score of 90.25.

In a field dominated by the two countries, American Kelly Clark and China's Cai Xuetong progressed in third and fourth place with respective scores of 88.504 and 84.50.

Haruna Matsumoto of Japan progressed in fifth with a score of 84.25.

United States' Ben Ferguson qualified first in the men's competition ©Getty Images
United States' Ben Ferguson qualified first in the men's competition ©Getty Images

The US dominated the 24 qualifiers through to the respective men's final at the Swiss resort.

Ben Ferguson scored 92.00 to progress first in front of team-mate Gregory Bretz, who managed 88.50.

Australia's Scotty James accrued the third best score of the day, with 87.00.

Another American in Chase Josey placed fourth after accruing 86.50.

The men's final is also due to take place on Thursday.

A slopestyle World Cup will begin tomorrow at the venue.